Singapore- The allocation of C-band (3.4 GHz - 3.7 GHz range) spectrum to WiMAX services by regional administrations could trigger a potentially disastrous "spectrum grab" by Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) technologies, industry leaders warned at the CASBAA (Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia) Satellite Industry Forum 2007 on June 18 in Singapore.

Wireless broadband technologies were described as a "critical threat" to operations of the Asia Pacific satellite industry's C-band services and the industry's livelihood. Peter Jackson, CEO of AsiaSat, argued that while BWA technologies can be located in other spectrum bands, satellite providers are not able to change frequencies at short notice. "We cannot go anywhere. We cannot change frequencies for satellite services tomorrow," he said.

Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA, asserted the entire Asia Pacific satellite industry could be affected, with operators forced to shut down satellite services along with hundreds of TV channels. The association also highlighted that in addition to WiMAX, various 4G mobile telephony initiatives are targeting the entire range of C-Band spectrum.

The 180 delegates also heard that the demand of mobile TV, Direct to Home (DTH) and HDTV services will be key drivers for massive growth. Emerging mobile TV services are sweeping the world with the Asia Pacific benefiting from that development. Asia is set to become the single most important DTH market in the world, typified by India's DTH market which has grown to 5 million subscribers in just over two years.

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